Story of Ayirathil Oruvan

Padmini Pictures Ayirathil Oruvan was released in the year 1965. The cast include

Manimaran – MGR

Poongodi – Jayalalitha

Azhagu – Nagesh

Thenmozhi – Madhavi

Chengappan – Ramadoss

Leader of Selva theevu – M.N.Nambiyar

Queen of Selva theevu – L.Vijayalakshmi

Dictator Naythal Nadu – R.S.Manohar

Commander – Thirupathisamy

Comrades – Kundumani, K.B.Ramakrishnan

Naythal Nadu is a country ruled by a King who becomes a Dictator. The story begins with the 1st frame of camera shows herbs, pans to the left to 3 Cobras in separate glass jars and again pans to the left to a fire, behind fire, Manimaran (MGR) lifts his head with uttering in enthusiasm ‘Vetri… Vetri’ he has successfully tested the poisoned milk with the newly found herb. The poisoned bluish milk gets deactivated and turns to white upon the addition of herbal juice prepared by MGR. Azhagu (Nagesh) his assistant to MGR in his works.

A thud on the door and Nagesh opens to sea of people, they rush to meet the Vaithiyar (MGR). They came with a wounded Gundumani. MGR checks the patient and ask them how he got hurt. The men who came with Gundumani did not answer. And finally they say they are the mutineers against their King enacted by R.S.Manohar. They propound their theory but MGR did not accept that the freedom from the Dictator’s rule should be by peaceful method. And MGR treats Gundumani. Meanwhile the Soldiers enter the clinic, MGR and Nagesh in a suspicious condition arrested with the mutineers.

Next day MGR was called upon by the King. As MGR is high ranked he was questioned on behalf of the mutineers. Though MGR’s answers are in support to the mutineers and against his rule and prove his innocence, R.S.Manohar finds it unacceptable and MGR, Nagesh and mutineers are banned from the Kingdom and ordered to be sold as slaves.

The ship sails to Kannitheevu. MGR’s ambition to save his country from the evil clutches of R.S.Manohar takes shape in this voyage. The mutineers find MGR their Leader. Before the ship with slaves reaches the destination, the Heroine of the movie Poongodi (Jayalalitha) is introduced (her first movie with MGR) with a song. After the song Jayalalitha’s paternal Uncle Chengappan (Ramadoss) who is the ruler of Kannitheevu visit the port. The camera shows the security of the Sea Shore canons on two side with lot of soldiers with rifle on the other. All the slaves are lined up to Ramadoss to show their strength, but it turns comical by Nagesh. And the comical line up ends when Nagesh get his jaws broken. Someone rushes and informs that one of the slaves was bitten by snake and their Leader MGR is giving treatment. Ramadoss and others rushes to the place and see that MGR has saved the patient. The ship captain informs Ramadoss that he is a Leader to the Slaves, which brings panic for Ramadoss and orders MGR to be thrown to the Sea. But Jayalalitha interferes and gets permission to use the skills of a Doctor for the snake ridden Island.

(This is a very different scenario in all MGR movies, he is the real life saver but in Ayirathil Oruvan, Jayalalitha is the life saver, even though this is her first movie with MGR, picturising that she is shrewd like MGR).